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Abstract:

Disclosed is a paw pad protector harness that is a lightweight assembly
of straps and buckles that is used to hold a variety of pet footwear
securely in place for weather condition protection, and for protecting
pet paws and legs from exposure to hazardous environments.

Claims:

1. An adjustable harness system for a pet, the pet having paws, two front
legs, two hind legs, and a back, the harness system comprising: a center
strap positioned along the back of the pet, the center strap having
forward and rearward ends, a first buckle adjustably positioned along the
forward end of the center strap, a second buckle adjustably positioned
along the rearward end of the center strap; a pair of front elastic leg
straps positioned along the two front legs of the pet, each front leg
strap including an upper and a lower end, an adjustable buckle secured to
the upper end of each front leg strap via a slip lock assembly, whereby
the adjustable buckle can be adjustably positioned to adjust the length
of the associated front elastic leg strap, a suspender type clamp secured
to the lower end of each front leg strap, the upper end buckle of each
front leg strap being secured to the center strap buckle; a pair of
elastic hind leg straps positioned along the two hind legs of the pet,
each hind leg strap including an upper end and a lower end, an adjustable
buckle secured to the upper end of each hind leg strap via a slip lock
assembly, whereby the buckle can be adjustably positioned to adjust the
length of the associated hind leg strap, a suspender type clamp secured
to the lower end of each hind leg strap, the upper end buckle of each
hind leg strap being secured to the center strap buckle; a set of
footwear consisting of four boots, shoes or socks, each piece of footwear
positioned over one of the paws of the pet, the suspender type clamps of
the front and rear leg straps being releasably secured to each footwear,
thereby preventing the footwear from being displaced.

2. An adjustable harness system for a pet, the pet having paws, two front
legs, two hind legs, and a back, the harness system comprising: a center
strap positioned along the back of the pet, the center strap having
forward and rearward ends, a first buckle adjustably positioned along the
forward end of the center strap, a second buckle adjustably positioned
along the rearward end of the center strap; a pair of front elastic leg
straps positioned along the two front legs of the pet, each front leg
strap including an upper and a lower end, the upper plain end of each
front leg strap attached adjustably to the center strap buckles using
slip lock tension ladders integral to each center strap buckle, whereby
the slip lock tension ladder can be adjustably positioned to adjust the
length of the associated front elastic leg strap, a suspender type clamp
secured to the lower end of each front leg strap, the upper end of each
front leg strap being secured to the center strap buckle; a pair of
elastic hind leg straps positioned along the two hind legs of the pet,
each hind leg strap including an upper end and a lower end, the upper end
of each hind leg strap attached adjustably to the center strap buckles
using slip lock tension ladders integral to each center strap buckle,
whereby the slip lock tension ladder can be adjustably positioned to
adjust the length of the associated hind leg strap, a suspender type
clamp secured to the lower end of each hind leg strap, the upper end of
each hind leg strap being secured to the center strap buckle; a set of
footwear consisting of four boots, shoes or socks, each piece of footwear
positioned over one of the paws of the pet, the suspender type clamps of
the front and rear leg straps being releasably secured to each footwear,
thereby preventing the footwear from being displaced.

3. An adjustable harness for a pet, the pet having paws, legs, and a
back, the harness comprising: a center strap positioned along the back of
the pet, the center strap having forward and rearward ends, a first
fastener adjustably positioned along the center strap; a pair of leg
straps positioned along the legs of the pet, each leg strap including an
upper and a lower end, a second fastener secured to the upper end of each
leg strap, whereby the second fastener can be adjustably positioned along
the length of the associated leg strap, the second fastener of each leg
strap being releasably secured to the first fastener.

4. The adjustable harness as described in claim 3 further comprising two
socks, each sock positioned over one of the paws of the pet, the lower
ends of each of the leg straps being secured to each sock, thereby
preventing the sock from being displaced.

5. The adjustable harness as described in claim 3 further comprising: a
third fastener adjustably positioned along the rearward end of the center
strap; a second pair of leg straps positioned along two legs of the pet,
each leg strap including upper and lower ends, a fourth fastener
connected to each upper end and secured to the third fastener.

6. The adjustable harness as described in claim 5 wherein the lower end
of each of the second pair of leg straps is bifurcated.

7. The adjustable harness as described in claim 4 wherein a suspender
type clamp is used to secure the socks to the lower ends of the leg
straps.

6. The adjustable harness as described in claim 3 further comprising a
collar and wherein the center strap is secured to the collar via a
suspender clamp.

7. The adjustable harness system as described in claim 3 wherein the
first and second fasteners are female quick connect buckles are each
secured to the center strap via a slip lock assembly.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending utility
application Ser. No. 13/468,665 filed on May 10, 2012, and entitled
"Universal Footwear Harness System for Pets," which, in turn, claims
priority to provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/600,120 filed on
Feb. 17, 2012 and entitled "Paw Pad Protector Harness." The contents of
both these co-pending applications are fully incorporated herein for all
purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to footwear for pets. More particularly,
the present disclosure relates to an adjustable harness system that
supports pet footwear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to footwear apparatus designed for
the protection of animal feet, specifically the paws of dogs or cats and
the method used to hold such footwear in place. There are a variety of
socks, boots and other footwear available for pets. Typically there is an
elastic band, a draw string, or some sort of strap near the animal's
ankle on each leg that can be tightened and is intended to keep the
footwear on the foot or leg. Sometimes the footwear is for medical
reasons and sometimes it is used to protect the animal from harsh surface
conditions, extreme weather conditions, or other exterior environmental
hazards such as the salt and chemicals used to melt snow from sidewalks
and roadways.

[0004] The problem is that such footwear is difficult to keep in place.
Dog legs get larger as you move up the leg and get closer to the body.
The footwear constraints or fasteners must currently be drawn so tight as
to cut off proper circulation to the limb or it becomes uncomfortable.
Often the footwear makes it difficult for the animal to walk while
wearing because the footwear comes loose and slips partially off.
Individual boots are sometimes lost while walking a dog at night.

[0005] When an animal has an injury to its paw it can be difficult to keep
the animal from chewing at the bandage. The veterinarian sometimes places
an awkward cone around the neck of the animal to prevent the animal from
turning its head far enough to reach the wounded area and remove the
bandage sometimes causing additional damage to the foot or paw. The
present invention also relates to a pet harness system to assist in the
mobility of dogs suffering from arthritis, hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis,
limping and neurologic problems.

[0006] The background art includes U.S. Pat. Des. 376,448 to Caditz and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,333 to Taylor. Both of these patents relate to canine
footwear. The Caditz design patent illustrates a cover up boot for a
canine. There is no reference to or description of the harness or straps
which would hold the boot in place. The design illustrates a boot with a
buckle attached as a part of the boot. The buckle connector loop appears
to be sewn in place at the end of the leg strap. There appears to be no
adjustment at the buckle. The Taylor patent provides two embodiments. In
both embodiments a buckle is affixed to the footwear. There are two leg
straps. Each leg strap connects continuously from the buckle on the left
leg to the buckle on the right leg.

[0007] In the first Taylor embodiment there is a longitudinal strap that
attaches to the two leg suspender straps and the dog collar. It has an
adjustment buckle in the middle. The second Taylor embodiment, presumably
for smaller dogs, has two suspender straps that cross in the middle and
are sewn in place at the crossover. The second embodiment is used in the
same manner as the first embodiment but it does not have the longitudinal
strap connecting the suspender straps to the collar.

[0008] Taylor includes a footwear harness or footwear suspender system
that prevents the canine sock, bootie or footwear from coming off.
However, it only solves only part of the problem. It can be challenging
to get the footwear on and properly adjusted for comfort. There are many
types of footwear that may be worn for a variety of purposes or weather
conditions. The lengths of footwear vary. Some are elastic. Once a set of
footwear has been fitted to a canine it is desirable to be able to
quickly remove and quickly replicate placing the footwear back on without
having to repeat the fitting and adjusting process. The front feet of a
canine are not the same as the back feet. The left side boot may not be
the same as the right side boot. Each paw is different. Therefore, each
leg strap must have some means to be fitted, labeled or tracked as front
or back, left or right. Thus it is desirable to have a leg strap
designated for each leg and additional sets of leg straps are required
for each set of footwear so fitting and adjustments can be preserved.

[0009] There are several problems in the prior art. Connectors of any type
with one piece affixed to the footwear present a problem. In Caditz it
requires that the harness system must have a compatible connector. In
Taylor it requires that the end of the suspender strap must not have a
connector. In Caditz the harness system can be used only with a sock or
bootie fitted with a compatible connector. This means the pet owner
cannot purchase another style of preferred footwear from a competitor
unless it uses the same fittings. There are many varieties of connectors
and these are not generally available in a hardware store, especially if
you only need one side and not the other. In Taylor the suspender strap
has no opposing connector.

[0010] Another difficulty is presented when the connector is attached to
the footwear. Each canine is different, footwear is different, and
personal preferences vary. The location where the connector is attached
to the footwear may not be the most suitable for fitting and adjusting
the footwear to the pet.

[0011] On the other hand, even if the Taylor embodiments have a quick snap
suspender clamp of any kind attached to the end of the leg strap there
might be no adjustment in the strap length, and each time the footwear is
removed the properly fitted location of the clamp is lost and must be
refitted each time the footwear is again put onto the pet. The Taylor
patent does not address these issues. As shown, there is no means for
quickly releasing each leg strap individually without losing the
adjustment, and the length of the leg strap must be redetermined each
time the footwear is put on, and each time a different style of footwear
is worn. Adjusting the leg strap at the paw end of the leg strap makes it
necessary to readjust the suspender system each time it is worn, and
removing the footwear becomes a time consuming process. A pet owner would
likely find this to be a cumbersome and time consuming process. The
footwear harness system must be easy to put on and take off.

[0012] In the prior art as defined by the Taylor embodiments there are
just two leg straps for four legs. This means that when the leg straps
are attached to the footwear, there is no other way to remove the harness
except by disconnecting the footwear from each end of the leg strap. In
addition the only place for adjusting the length of the leg strap is at
the buckle end where the leg strap is attached to the footwear. One
disadvantage this creates is that the adjustment of the leg strap on one
leg may affect the adjustment of the leg strap on the opposite end of the
leg strap. In addition, the leg strap adjustment applies only to the
footwear currently worn. If the pet owner wants to change to another
style footwear, needs to replace a worn out sock, or wants to wash the
footwear then the leg strap adjustment must be lost so the footwear can
be removed. In adjusting either elastic footwear or elastic leg straps it
is a matter of practice to determine an adequate amount of tension on the
footwear, while leaving enough additional stretch so the leg strap
harness system can flex with the movement of a running, rolling, jumping,
or sitting dog. A two strap system does not allow quick release and quick
connecting of the leg straps without losing some or all of the footwear
adjustment.

[0013] The two strap system as shown in the prior art presents these
additional constraints. Suppose the footwear has a slip buckle attached
as shown in Taylor. The leg strap must have a plain straight end in order
to use the slip buckle. However, the plain end leg strap cannot be
connected to any other footwear unless such other footwear has a
connector attached to it such that it can be attached to a plain end leg
strap. If footwear has a connector such as shown by Caditz the one side
of the coupling connector is attached to the sock. The other side of the
coupling is attached to the leg strap. This limits the use of this
harness system only to footwear with couplings that are compatible with
the opposite side of the coupling connector attached to the strap.

[0014] The universal footwear harness of the present disclosure is aimed
at overcoming these and other shortcomings present in the background art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Therefore, it is an objective of this disclosure to provide a
device to hold animal footwear in place without slipping partially or
entirely off, without interfering with the animal's walking movement, and
without being so tightly strapped around the ankle or leg as to restrict
proper circulation or becoming uncomfortable.

[0016] It is also an object of the present disclosure to provide a device
that is easy to use, can be adjusted to the individual pet, and fitted to
the pet in little time and with minimal effort.

[0017] It is an objective of this disclosure to be able to adjust the
footwear connectors and length of each leg strap just one time, that
being the first time it is worn.

[0018] It is an objective of this disclosure to provide a footwear harness
system that can be removed in a few seconds without losing adjustment,
and can be put back on again with minimal effort and to not have to
repeat the adjustment process.

[0019] It is an objective of this disclosure to provide a universal
footwear harness system that can be used interchangeably on any sock,
bootie, legwarmer, or any other footwear whether the footwear has
permanent buckle connectors attached permanently or whether the footwear
has no connectors.

[0020] It is an object of this disclosure to provide a universal footwear
harness system that allows each leg strap to be adjusted individually for
each style or type of footwear worn, to be adjusted one time, thereafter
the leg strap can remain attached to the footwear even when the leg strap
is removed from the harness and from the pet.

[0021] It is an objective of this disclosure to provide a harness system
that will assist pets with mobility handicaps and facilitate their
walking and play exercise by assisting the flexing of every joint in each
leg.

[0022] Dogs with walking disabilities need to have twenty minute walks at
least twice a day. Dogs with neurologic problems may drag one or more
paws or drag toe nails thereby causing injury and bleeding. Some dogs
limp for various reasons such as past injuries.

[0023] These and other objectives are accomplished via a universally
adaptable pet footwear harness system that is compatible with pet
footwear designs of all types made by any footwear manufacturer. The
harness system consists of a center strap that runs along the back of the
pet from near the tail end on one end and connects with the collar on the
other end. There are four separate individually detachable leg straps
that attach to each of four pieces of footwear. The center strap is
available in various lengths, various materials, widths, fabrics or
colors. The webbing may be elastic, non-elastic or a combination.

[0024] In one embodiment, a purchaser selects a center strap length for
their pet, color, width and then decides on elastic, non-elastic or a
combination. Next the length of leg straps for the front legs, and then
for the back legs are selected along with color and type of materials.
The double sided quick connect slip adjustment buckles at the junction of
the center strap with the rear leg straps and front leg straps are
standard. The top end of all leg straps are plain until attached to the
male side of these quick connect/disconnect buckles. The ends of the leg
straps that attach to the footwear offer many options. The footwear end
of a leg strap may be bifurcated so it can be attached to the footwear in
two places, or it may be a singular strap end.

[0025] The footwear end or ends of a leg strap may be plain, they may have
a quick snap suspender type clip that attaches directly to any part of
the footwear, they may be sewn directly to the footwear, or they may have
one side of a quick connecting buckle device that is compatible with an
opposite side of the quick connecting buckle device.

[0026] Each leg strap is associated with a specific piece of footwear. It
is intended that a leg strap is attached to a piece of footwear and
adjusted to the leg, leg straps and footwear remain together except
perhaps for washing, repair or replacement.

[0027] Thus in the universal system a pet owner may have a set of mesh
elastic socks attached to leg straps with quick connect suspender clamps;
and a set of boots with two slip buckles which attach to the bifurcated
plain ends of another set of leg straps and also a set of lightweight
booties with rubberized pads that have leg straps permanently sewn to the
booties.

[0028] All these variations are compatible with the universal footwear
harness system because the plain ends of the leg straps that connect to
the center strap all slide into a standard male connector that allows
adjusting the leg strap length. The male connector is compatible with a
standard double sided female connector buckle with a quick connect/quick
release button that releases leg straps simultaneously on both sides.

[0029] The double sided quick connect/quick release buckle over the front
legs has an integral slip buckle that allows it to be adjusted either
direction along the center strap after it is connected to the collar so
it can be positioned as desired above the front legs.

[0030] The double sided quick connect/disconnect buckle at the tail end of
the center strap has an integral slip buckle on the center strap side
that allows adjusting the length of the center strap to the length of the
back of the pet as well as flexible positioning of the buckle over the
hind legs to receive the rear leg straps.

[0031] All leg straps can be instantly disconnected and reconnected at the
center strap without disturbing any adjustments or connector positioning
on any of the straps or footwear. The system provides maximum
flexibility, adaptability and convenience for the pet owner.

[0032] Various embodiments of the invention may have none, some, or all of
these advantages. Other technical advantages of the present invention
will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dog wearing a harness in
accordance with the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a buckle arrangement taken
along line A-A of FIG. 3.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a buckle arrangement.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a buckle arrangement taken
along line B-B of FIG. 5.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an alternative buckle arrangement.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a dog wearing an alternative
harness in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a plan view of an alternative buckle arrangement in
accordance with the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an alternative buckle arrangement in
accordance with the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an alternative buckle arrangement in
accordance with the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 10 is a plan view of an alternative buckle arrangement in
accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] The harness system for pets with mobility handicaps illustrated in
FIG. 1, consists of a center strap (a) two individual front elastic leg
straps (c1, c2), two individual rear elastic leg straps (b1, b2) that can
optionally bifurcate into branches (b3, b4) at the footwear end on both
of the rear elastic leg straps. Center strap (a) begins at rear leg
connector (f), continues through front leg connector (e) and attaches to
the dog collar (w) with a suspender clamp (d). The suspender clamp can be
a hinged type clamp that is spring biased into a closed position. The two
halves of the clamp can include teeth to grab onto fabric between the
opposing halves. The upper leg ends of the front and rear elastic leg
straps connect to the center strap at quick connect/disconnect adjustable
connector assemblies (e, f). Footwear (h) is part of the harness system.

[0044] The front legs quick connect/disconnect adjustable connector
assembly (e) shown in FIG. 3. Quick connect/disconnect assemblies
disclosed herein takes the form of a conventional side release buckle.
The female element has two diametrically opposed openings for
independently retaining two male elements. Strap adjusters can be
integrated into the female and/or male buckle elements. In the depicted
embodiment, the structural frame (e8) has openings on two opposite sides
for insertion of adjustable leg strap buckle connectors (e2, e4) into the
frame (e8). The connectors automatically lock in place. The connectors
can be instantly and simultaneously released by pressing the quick
release trigger (button or lever) (e1)) in the center of frame (e8). In
the harness system disclosed herein the quick release connectors (e2, e4)
FIGS. 3 and (f3, f4) FIG. 5 are optional.

[0045] The adjustable leg strap buckle connectors (e2, e4) include slip
lock tension buckles (e3, e5). The slip tension buckles allow each
elastic leg strap to be individually adjusted to the desired length and
tension. The plain end of each upper leg strap is inserted into the slot
nearest the frame (e8), doubles back through the outer slot. After this
adjustment is made the quick release connector may be connected and
released over and over without requiring readjustment. The footwear may
be removed and put on with an unlimited consistent fit.

[0046] The connection to connectors e8 and e7 and adjustment of tension in
each elastic leg strap may also be done by lacing the plain end of each
elastic leg strap through the ladder slip lock tension buckle e3, e5, f4,
and f6 with these ladder slip locks being an integral part of connectors
e and f. The tension in each leg strap is adjusted based on the need of
each individual pet.

[0047] The front legs quick connect/disconnect adjustable connector
assembly (e) includes two slip lock tension buckles (e6, e7) attached to
the frame (e8) one on each side, that secure the connector assembly (e)
to the center strap (a) and also allows for sliding the connector
assembly (e) either direction along the center strap (a). This allows
optimal positioning of the connector assembly (e) above the front legs
and simultaneously establishes the proper length of the collar end of
center strap (a).

[0048] There are many styles and variations of the quick
connect/disconnect connector (e) components (e1, e2, e3, e4, e5 and e8)
available. Only one type would be selected for use with this harness
system.

[0049] In FIGS. 6 and 7 the front legs quick connect/disconnect adjustable
connector assembly (g, r, p) identified in FIG. 1 as component (e) and by
detail in FIG. "3" is shown with components (e) replaced by alternative
four way slip lock connector (g) and two separate single strap quick
connect/disconnect connectors (p, r) connected to (g) with sewn buckle
straps (pp, rr). The components in FIG. 7 provide the same results as
component (e) in FIG. 1.

[0050] In FIG. 8 is another alternative embodiment to component (e) shown
in FIGS. 1 and 3. In FIG. 8 the alternative four way slip lock connector
(g) is a symmetrical square with four symmetrical slip lock slots (ii,
jj, kk, ss) connected to single strap quick connect/disconnect connectors
(p) and (r) with sewn buckle straps (pp, rr).

[0051] In both FIGS. 7 and 8 the single strap quick connect/disconnect
connectors (p) and (r) are connected to front leg straps (c1) and (c2).
It is understood there can be other styles of four way slip lock
connectors (g) as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 which serve the same function of
adjusting the junction position of the front leg straps (c1, c2) along
the center strap (a). It is also understood there can be many styles of
single strap quick connect/disconnect connectors (p) and (r) as shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8 which serve the same purposes of connecting front leg
straps (c1) and (c2) to the center strap (a) while also providing slip
lock tension buckles (hh, gg, nn, oo) that allow for adjusting the length
of leg straps (c1, c2) to the individual pet and to the particular style
of footwear.

[0052] The rear legs quick connect/disconnect adjustable connector
assembly (f) is identical to (e) (FIGS. 1 and 5) in every way and is used
the same way with the exception that it has only one three bar slip lock
tension buckle (f2) attached to the frame (f7), on the center strap (a)
side. This component does two things. The buckle attaches the connector
assembly (f) to center strap (a), and it allows for center strap (a) to
be pulled through the buckles (f2 and s) for adjusting the length of the
center strap and positions the connector assembly (f) in the most
suitable position for applying tension and angular adjustment to the rear
leg straps (b1, b2).

[0053] After the center strap (a) is pulled through slip tension lock
buckle (f2) the plain loose end is fed through a four bar adjustable
tension lock buckle (s). This additional buckle allows the center strap
(a) to be looped back to the buckle (f2) a second time, which means that
moving buckle (s) one inch will shorten center strap (a) by two inches.
The advantage of this is it allows a greater range of adjustment for a
greater range of back lengths. If (s) is eliminated, the buckle (f2)
still allows adjustment of strap (a). All the loose ends of leg straps
and the center strap slide into a keeper (I) after adjustments are
complete.

[0054] In FIGS. 6 and 9 the rear legs quick connect/disconnect adjustable
connector assembly (t, v, w) identified in FIG. 1 as component (f) and by
detail in FIG. 6 is shown with component (f) replaced by an alternative
three way slip lock connector (t) and two separate single strap quick
connect/disconnect connectors (v, w) connected to (t) with sewn buckle
straps (dd, gg). The tail end of the leg straps (a) passes through slot
(aa) of the three way slip lock connector at the junction of rear leg
straps (b1, b2) with center strap (a) and then passes through the four
bar adjustable tension lock buckle (s). This attaches center strap (a) to
the three way slip lock connector (t) and also allows for adjusting the
overall length of center strap (a) to the size of the pet and allows for
preferred positioning of the junction over the rear hip of the pet. The
components in FIG. 9 provide the same results as component (f) in FIG. 1.

[0055] In FIG. 10 is another alternative embodiment to component (f) shown
in FIGS. 1 and 5. In FIG. 10 the alternative three way slip lock
connector (t) is a symmetrical triangular configuration with three
symmetrical slots (aa, bb, ee) connected to single strap quick
connect/disconnect connectors (v, w) with sewn buckle straps (dd, gg). In
both FIGS. 9 and 10 the single strap quick connect/disconnect connectors
(v) and (w) are connected to rear leg straps (b1) and (b2).

[0056] It is understood there can be other styles of three way slip lock
connectors (t) as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 which serve the same function
of creating a junction of rear leg straps (b1, b2) with center strap (a)
while also serving as a terminal loop for returning the leg strap back
through the four bar adjustable tension lock buckle (s) to provide for
center strap length and positioning adjustments. It is also understood
there can be other styles of single strap quick connect/disconnect
connectors (v, w) as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 which serve the same purpose
of connecting rear leg straps (b1) and (b2) to the center strap (a) while
also providing slip lock tension buckles (ii, hh) that allow for
adjusting the length of the leg straps (b1, b2) to the individual pet and
to the particular style of footwear.

[0057] A pet owner may purchase any length or type of center strap, and
any length, type or quantity of leg straps. If a customer intends to use
three different sets of footwear then they would buy three pair of front
leg straps and three pair of rear leg straps but only one center strap.
Either front leg straps or back leg straps are available bifurcated or
plain single end. The leg straps may include the quick connect/quick
release adjustable leg strap buckle connectors (e2, e3, e4, e5, f3, f4,
f5, and f6). The customer may select or specify the way the footwear
connector end of the leg strap is to be finished such as style or choice
of fasteners.

[0058] In the preferred embodiment of this invention the footwear
connectors (m, n, and k) at the footwear connector end of leg straps (c1,
and c2) and (b1, and b2 at ends of bifurcated branch legs b3, b4, b5, and
b6) is a simple sewn on suspender clamp (m, n, and k). The upper rim of
footwear (h) may be reinforced at (i).

[0059] The leg strap footwear connector ends with suspender clamps can be
readily attached to all styles of footwear. If the footwear has a
connecting device already attached such as in Taylor or Caditz the
suspender clamp can be attached somewhere next to these devices on the
footwear and if the customer prefers the unwanted connecting device can
be cut off or the customer can cut off the suspender clamp from the leg
strap and sew on the matching connector side of the device attached to
the footwear. Either of these three alternatives work just as well.

[0060] In addition to the previous disclosure there is the disclosure
concerning mobility difficulty for some pets due to various injuries,
diseases or complications of old age.

[0061] Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain
embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and
permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those
skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example
embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes,
substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from
the spirit and scope of this disclosure.